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Women in the ancient past have always belly danced, performing at parties, at family gatherings, and during rites of passage. That belly dancing has evolved from social dancing helps to explain its enduring popularity.

Belly dancing offers women a chance to share and celebrate joy in music, with a group of friends and develops self-confidence through artistic self-expression. It’s also a lot of fun putting on a belly dance costume.

The history of belly dancing remains unclear prior to the late 1800s, but one thing is clear - belly dancing was not intended to entertain men. Segregation of the sexes was common in the part of the world that produced belly dancing and so men were often forbidden to be present.